Resources
GENERAL ADOPTION
National Adoption Center: http://www.adopt.org/assembled/home.html
North American Council on Adoptable Children: http://www.nacac.org
You should also consider joining some of the adoption group lists which can be very informative, supportive and give you up to date information. You can join a list specific to a country, etc., and/or special issues, for example, GAARP for older parents, Adoption_Agency_Research, IChild for those who are adopting from India, Guatemala_Adoption, etc. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ To see a list of many of adoption related groups: http://www.karensadoptionlinks.com/listindex.html
Additional resources FOR THOSE WHO ARE ADOPTING INTERNATIONALLY
U.S. Department of State (DOS) website regarding intercountry adoption: http://adoption.state.gov/
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website re intercountry adoption:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=8d5e901bf9873210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=8d5e901bf9873210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRDJoint Council on International Adoptions (JCICS): http://www.jointcouncil.org/
Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform: http://www.pear-reform.org/index.htm
U.S. CITIZENSHIP
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=a936cac09aa5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
U.S. Passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
ADOPTION INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia Area Adoption Support and Activity Groups: http://www.lyfordlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1537988.html
PA child abuse clearance forms (form CY-113) can be downloaded at: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ucmprd/groups/webcontent/documents/form/s_001762.pdf
PA criminal record form (form SP4 -164) can be ordered online at: https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp
PA DPW FBI Fingerprint clearances:
Do not go to a police department to get your fingerprints. There is a new system for obtaining fingerprints through the PA Department of Welfare, called COGENT. For information regarding the process: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htmTo order a Pennsylvania Birth Certificate: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/birth_and_death_certificates/11596
RE IMMIGRATION generally
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): http://www.aila.org
American Immigration Council: Informative site for general immigration history and policy issues which includes many resources and lesson plans for teachers and community groups: http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/
